Kindness and Cruelty

Kindness in Cruelty

P K Routray

Two pairs of eyes,

one pair experienced and wise,

the other is too young and novice.

In between lies a human lifetime edifice

Here this photo speaks for three generation.

From great grandma to great granddaughter or son

old departs making way to new generation.

Photographs and memories have limitation

to bind their love, attachment and experience.

Then insects, birds animals and human have no difference.

The old emaciated lady is my loving grand mother

once so close so caring I never imagined I could live without her.

This fading photo brings back my memories tinged with pain

approaching her age now tears come to my eyes as man insane.

The child is now a prospective grandmother consoles me to refrain

not able to recollect the scene and her attachment to her great grandma then.

Time! you are cruel, you are kind, us you torture and us you calm

You inflict the wound and you cure it with your nectarlike balm.

(A Photograph of 1970 where my grandmother taking care of her eldest grandson's daughter)